I also invite you to read more about Vietnam in general
There you’ll find information about the country, its history, visas, the best time to visit Vietnam, which SIM card to buy, and much more! More content will be added here, so feel free to check back regularly :)
A few words about
Ha Long Bay
Traveling to Vietnam and not seeing Ha Long Bay is a bit like flying to France and not seeing the Eiffel Tower, or going to Italy and not eating pizza. In my opinion, it’s a must-see when visiting Vietnam. You can skip it only if you plan to visit Vietnam in two or three separate trips - to explore the north, the south, and the central region individually - period! 😉
Speaking completely seriously, despite the many tourists, the unpredictable weather, and the often misty atmosphere, this place is simply magical and unique. We can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen in our lives.
“Bay of the Descending Dragon”, as it is commonly called, lies just 164 km southeast of Hanoi. It is famous for its extraordinary landscape made up of around 2000 limestone islands and islets (although guides often say exactly 1969 - the year of Ho Chi Minh’s death) rising dozens of meters above the water. Most of the islands are uninhabited and untouched by humans, which adds incredible charm to the area. Ha Long Bay covers an area of over 1500 km². This natural wonder was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
The place looks as if taken straight from a legend - and the legend itself is just as magical. It tells of an Emperor who sent the Mother Dragon and her children down to Earth to help the Vietnamese fight invaders. In short, the dragons defeated the enemies with fire and giant emeralds, which formed a defensive wall in the sea. Over the years, the emerald wall turned into islands of various shapes and sizes. In their honor, the bay was named the Bay of the Descending Dragon, and Vietnamese people believe their nation descends from dragons. Dragon motifs can be found throughout the country, from temples to decorations on residential buildings.
One of the best ways to explore Ha Long Bay is by boat tour combined with visits to beautiful caves, of which there are quite many within the rock formations. Overnight cruises are also very interesting and an unforgettable experience. If you’d like to treat yourself a bit on vacation, I highly recommend this option. Just be sure to check the weather in Vietnam carefully - if you come in winter, you might get a bit cold.
Below I’ve linked some example tours from Hanoi.
What does a day trip look like? Is it worth it?
When it comes to very touristy places such as Maya Bay in Thailand or Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, I definitely recommend day trips. The program is designed so you won’t get bored and will see everything you need. Despite many boats departing at similar times, they disappear into the landscape, and the only place where you may really feel the crowds is Titop Island, which is included in almost every day-trip itinerary because of its beautiful viewpoint. It can indeed get crowded there. However, it’s worth climbing up a bit to admire part of the bay from above.
During the cruise, you will most likely visit the cave known as Surprise Cave, discovered by the French in the early 20th century. The most beautiful formations are illuminated, and the whole place makes a huge impression.
Besides visiting caves and climbing to the viewpoint, the tour program usually includes a ride on a smaller boat or kayaks to lagoons that larger ships cannot enter. If you’re lucky, you might spot beautiful birds or see fish swimming below. For us, however, the highlight was the cruise itself and slowly sailing between the stunning rock formations - and there are truly thousands of them! Ha Long Bay, its scale and beauty, made the biggest impression on us. It was a very intense and physically tiring day, but at the same time, being in such a wonderful and majestic place filled us with calm and gave us deep mental relaxation. We felt as if we had just finished reading a beautiful novel.
If you have limited time and cannot stay overnight in the Ha Long area, a day trip from Hanoi will be your best option. They pick you up from your hotel, take you to the port, put you on the boat, and you complete all the attractions together step by step. Lunch, coffee, juices, and even wine are served on board. Everything is planned from A to Z, so you don’t have to worry about transportation. It really is a great option. Below are a few more shots, and for videos, feel free to visit our Instagram.
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